NFL - Are You Ready For Some Football?! - 2009 Regular Season

[SlowwHand]

Don't forget Forte.

[Ming]

I don't... but like Cutler, he needs an offensive line to run behind. Granted, he at least can catch passes, but until they open holes in the line he can run through, his usefullness is very limited.

[SlowwHand]

He caught for a lot of yardage last night. As you say, his rushing suffered.

[-Jrabbit]

First time the Bears have run effective screen plays in several years.

The lone bright spot.

BTW, Orlando Pace is TOAST. He was actually pulled from the game last night because he "had the wind knocked out of him; not expected to return." Is that hilarious or what!?!?

He's done, got nothing left, and will probably not play another down for the beloved. Expect him to be kept on the roster as a reserve, then cut in the offseason.

Lovie should not be allowed to EVER sign anyone from StL or Tampa. Worst off-season signing in the NFL since Archuleta.

[Ben Kenobi]

Jay Cutler is talented, but I would not want to build around him. It was one of those trades. I honestly don't think Orton could have won you that game, I've seen Orton and I've seen Cutler and Cutler is an upgrade.

What happens if the Redskins actually beat Denver? Denver has done a 180, became a decent defense and a horrible offense in one year. Orton takes away so many things they were known for last year. At least Cutler could put up the yardage, but his teams tend to lose games. The Bears? They have to fix their lines, and all those draft picks aren't going to make them better.

[-Jrabbit]

It was a weird game. The Bears never threw deep, not once. (Correction: I think they did once, in the 2d half.) No wonder they couldn't run the ball. When you have burners like Knox and Hester, and an arm like Cutler's, you've got to make the defense respect that. And hell, a 50-yd INT beats the hell out of a short one.

I'm starting to lose faith in Lovie. although it was nice to see the defense not get torched (other than Gore, which was expected).

[Imran Siddiqui]

Jay Cutler is talented, but I would not want to build around him. It was one of those trades. I honestly don't think Orton could have won you that game, I've seen Orton and I've seen Cutler and Cutler is an upgrade.

What happens if the Redskins actually beat Denver? Denver has done a 180, became a decent defense and a horrible offense in one year. Orton takes away so many things they were known for last year. At least Cutler could put up the yardage, but his teams tend to lose games. The Bears? They have to fix their lines, and all those draft picks aren't going to make them better.

Interestingly enough, Orton leads Cutler on DYAR and DVOA:

http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/qb

Orton is 12th in DYAR and 13th in DVOA. Cutler is 20 in DYAR and 25 in DVOA.

[Ben Kenobi]

I'd contend that has more to do with scheme than talent.

I simply see Orton as limited, in a way that would not have helped the bears against SF.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Fair enough. But then you'd have to assume the Bears would be smart enough to hire a coach that can develop a decent offensive scheme.

[Ben Kenobi]

Hell, I'm not even sure the Chargers have what that takes.

[-Jrabbit]

I've got the Chargers pegged for another heart-breaking postseason loss in one of three places: Indy, Pittsburgh or Foxboro. But I figure they'll win the West.

[Ben Kenobi]

Well, I hope they play Indy. They've always had Manning's goat.

All they have to do is improve the Run offense to around the league average. A tall challenge, but if they can get the run established they have a chance. They have a top pass O and pass D, which is encouraging.

JRabbit, I'm happy with Ron Rivera because the Chargers are finally getting some press for their secondary. They've gone from being the worst in the league against the pass, to being in the top 5. Run D has slipped some, but seems to be creeping up slowly.

[Ben Kenobi]

Right now, my predictions are:

Steelers
Patriots
Indy
Denver
NYJets
Ravens

(Houston)
(Chargers) on the outside looking in.

[-Jrabbit]

I think the two you have on the outside could both end up getting in. The Jets are inconsistent with a rookie QB and the Ravens' D has been shockingly vulnerable. Denver is no lock either but has the advantage of playing in the West.

Steelers, Indy and the Pats are pretty much locked in unless disaster strikes.

[Ben Kenobi]

Chargers are below average in terms of yardage. They have a long way to go to be a playoff contender.

I'd love to believe it, but I just don't see it yet.